NASA’s Ingenuity & Perseverance Photobomb Each Other’s Images On Mars
NASA’s two Martian rovers have met once again, and to mark the occasion—as any pair of friends on Earth would do as well—they have taken some pictures of each other.
Well, it wasn’t a planned shoot, but as the Ingenuity helicopter zipped across the Red Planet, Perseverance was there to photobomb a few of its images. The rotorcraft first landed on the planet’s surface in early 2021 and was meant to do a 30-day technical demonstration over five flights. However, Ingenuity is still zipping around Mars an impressive 51 journeys later, and one of its most recent ventures has it meeting up with its rover counterpart.
The helicopter took the shots from a height of 40 feet, which could explain why looking at the pictures is a little like playing a game of Where’s Waldo. However, instead of a man in a striped shirt, you’re tasked with looking for a tiny spec among Martian rocks.
If you couldn’t find it, it’s hiding out on the top left of the image, right next to a giant rock halfway to the top of the hill.
In the image, Perseverance is seen at the Belva Crater’s rim and beside a rocky outcrop that scientists call ‘Echo Creek’. Trailing behind it are its tracks from where it had climbed up the hilly area, and as a bonus easter egg, Ingenuity’s shadow can be seen peaking through to the right of the picture’s center. The bottom of the shot shows a piece of debris left behind the rover’s entry, descent, and landing system.
The hill it happens to be flying over is known as ‘Mount Julian’ and is a planned future base for Perseverance to examine.
Spot the Spacecraft – a little challenge for you, in two levels of difficulty:
— NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover (@NASAPersevere) April 25, 2023
The #MarsHelicopter and I have been closer together lately, allowing us to snap pics of each other for the first time in a while. Can you find me in one of these images, and Ingenuity in the other? 🔠pic.twitter.com/WDlGyA9TIH
[via PC Mag and Space.com images via NASA/JPL-Caltech]
